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Kwak Yeon-soo

Korea Times Digital Content Reporter

Kwak Yeon-soo is a digital editor at The Korea Times creating, editing and curating digital content for the newspaper’s website, mobile app and social media. She previously covered a diverse array of cultural, political and business topics.

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Films

Youn Yuh-jung becomes first Korean to win acting Oscar

Youn Yuh-Jung, winner of the award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for “Minari,” poses in the press room at the Oscars in Los Angeles, Sunday (local time). Reuters-Yonhap73-year-old receives best supporting actress Oscar for 'Minari'By Kwak Yeon-sooYoun Yuh-jung made history Sunday (local time) becoming the first Korean to win an acting Oscar for her nuanced portrayal of Soon-ja, the grandmother of a Korean immigrant family, in director Lee Isaac Chung's moving drama “Minari.”At the Academy Awards ceremony held at Union Station in Los Angeles, Youn took home the award for best supporting actress, beating out Maria Bakalova in “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm,” Glenn Close in “Hillbilly Elegy,” Amanda Seyfried in “Mank” and Olivia Colman in “The Father.”Youn is the second Asian woman to win an acting Oscar after Japanese-American Miyoshi Umeki who won the best supporting actress prize for her role in “Sayonara” (1957).Onstage, the 73-year-old actress thanked members of the academy and the Minari crew

Apr 26, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
Youn Yuh-jung becomes first Korean to win acting Oscar
  • Korean film industry people shine at Oscars for second year in a row
  • 'Nomadland' wins best picture at Oscars
  • PHOTOS Youn Yuh-jung shines at Oscars
  • Once a 'needs-driven' actor gets global spotlight
  • Youn's Oscar glory celebrated in Korea
Shows & Dramas

New TV series 'One Ordinary Day' to stream exclusively on Coupang Play

Actors Kim Soo-hyun, right, and Cha Seoung-won, left / Korea Times fileBy Kwak Yeon-sooThe new mystery thriller series, “One Ordinary Day,” featuring Kim Soo-hyun and Cha Seoung-won, will be exclusively available for streaming on Coupang Play, the local streamer said on Sunday. “As our first exclusive content offering, we will present a high quality series to paid membership users,” a Coupang Play official said in a statement. In December, e-commerce firm Coupang launched the video streaming service to compete with global and local streamers such as Netflix, Wavve and Watcha Play.A remake of BBC's “Criminal Justice,” the 8-episode series revolves around a young man who is accused of murder, though he is unable to remember committing the crime.Kim plays a college student named Hyun-soo whose life turns upside down after being accused of murder, while Cha stars as a lawyer named Joong-han, who offers help to Hyun-soo. Director Lee Myung-woo, whose previous works include SBS's “The Fiery Priest” (2019) and “Backstreet Rookie” (

Apr 26, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
New TV series 'One Ordinary Day' to stream exclusively on Coupang Play
Films

INTERVIEW Jeon Yeo-been's journey from indie film darling to big-budget star

Actress Jeon Yeo-been / Courtesy of Netflix By Kwak Yeon-sooIn the first few months of 2021, actress Jeon Yeo-been has starred in two different projects. She plays a feisty lawyer in tvN's drama series, “Vincenzo,” and a taciturn sharpshooter in the noir film, “Night in Paradise.” The two seemingly different characters have one striking similarity: both seek revenge against people who killed their families.“Vincenzo's Hong Cha-young becomes a relentless fighter for justice after her father dies. Jae-yeon of Night in Paradise also has a thirst for revenge after witnessing her family's murder,” she said during an interview with The Korea Times via Zoom, Friday. To play the stone-faced sharpshooter in the film, Jeon had to learn target shooting. “I was offered the role when I was filming the latter part of JTBC's Melo is My Nature (2019). I was worried about shooting guns in the beginning, so I went to shooting ranges for a few months before I started filming. As I wor

Apr 25, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
[INTERVIEW] Jeon Yeo-been's journey from indie film darling to big-budget star
Films

INTERVIEW How Kang Ha-neul invokes feelings of youthful innocence

Actor Kang Ha-neul / Courtesy of Kidari ENT By Kwak Yeon-sooKang Ha-neul, who has played a variety of youthful characters in films such as “Twenty” (2015), “C'est Si Bon” (2015) and “Midnight Runners” (2017), is back with another film that inspires feelings of youthful innocence.In “Waiting for Rain,” Kang stars as Young-ho, an unmotivated student who is studying for the college entrance exam for the third time. One day, he sends a letter to his elementary school classmate So-yeon, whom he had crush on, to regain his verve. On behalf of So-yeon who is ill, her sister So-hee (Chun Woo-hee) writes back and the two continue to exchange letters while trying to sort out their lives. The two agree to meet each other in person if it rains on Dec. 31.“People call me a youth icon, but I honestly don't know what that means. I think youth is undefinable,” he said during an interview with The Korea Times via Zoom, Thursday. “Therefore, I don't choose such characters intentional

Apr 22, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
[INTERVIEW] How Kang Ha-neul invokes feelings of youthful innocence
Shows & Dramas

Real life celebrity couple Shin Min-a, Kim Woo-bin in talks to star in same TV series

Actors Kim Woo-bin, left, and Shin Min-a / Korea Times fileBy Kwak Yeon-sooReal life celebrity couple Shin Min-a and Kim Woo-bin are likely to star in the drama “Our Blues” written by famous screenwriter Noh Hee-kyung of “It's Okay, That's Love.” AM Entertainment said Tuesday that Shin and Kim are in talks to star in the series. Shin recently featured in the thriller film, “Diva” (2020), and Kim just wrapped up filming director Choi Dong-hoon's sci-fi blockbuster, “Alien” (working title). If both take on the roles, it will be their first time to be in a TV series together.Plot details are being kept under wraps, but the 20-episode anthology will closely observe the lives of broken people and fractured relationships. Shin and Kim are unlikely to be seen together in the series as they are expected to star opposite Lee Byung-hun and Han Ji-min, respectively.Noh is an acclaimed screenwriter behind hit drama series such as SBS's “That Winter, the Wind Blows,” tvN's “Dear My Friends” and “Live.” Director Ki

Apr 21, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
Real life celebrity couple Shin Min-a, Kim Woo-bin in talks to star in same TV series
Films

Highly-anticipated sci-fi blockbuster 'Alien' wraps up filming after 13 months

From left, actors Kim Woo-bin, Ryu Jun-yeol and Kim Tae-ri are seen in a scene from the crime sci-fi film, “Alien.” Courtesy of CJ ENMBy Kwak Yeon-sooDirector Choi Dong-hoon's two-part blockbuster, “Alien” (working title), wrapped up filming this week. Filming began in March 2020 after production was delayed briefly following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The time-slip movie depicts swordsmen during the Goryeo era (918-1392) and aliens living in the present attempting to find a mysterious sword. The two installments were shot simultaneously with a star-studded cast, including Ryu Jun-yeol, Kim Woo-bin, Kim Tae-ri, So Ji-sub, Lee Ha-nee, Yum Jung-ah and Jo Woo-jin.The production team explained that the film features an unpredictable plot, unusual characters and witty humor.“Three and a half years have passed since I first decided to make this film. We have spent 387 days shooting it. This has been the most difficult film to shoot among the ones I have worked on, but it has also brought the most joy to me. My biggest wish is that the production te

Apr 21, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
Highly-anticipated sci-fi blockbuster 'Alien' wraps up filming after 13 months
Shows & Dramas

INTERVIEW Filmmaker explores enduring love stories of lifelong couples around the world

Documentary filmmaker Jin Mo-young / Courtesy of NetflixBy Kwak Yeon-sooAcclaimed documentary filmmaker Jin Mo-young said he happily accepted Netflix's offer in 2017 to expand the concept of his 2014 hit documentary film, “My Love, Don't Cross That River,” into a docuseries featuring six international love stories.The heartfelt tear-jerker film, which chronicles an elderly Korean couple whose marriage lasted for 76 years, attracted more than 4.8 million moviegoers in 2014. Taking part as the executive producer of “My Love: Six Stories of True Love,” as well as directing the Korean episode, he oversaw the production with showrunner Xan Aranda ― from deciding on the overall theme of the series to recruiting documentary directors from each country. “When I received the proposal from Netflix, I happily accepted it because it sounded like a great opportunity to recreate and deliver the concept through a more powerful medium. The reason I made 'My Love, Don't Cross That River' into a film was the desire to show it to audiences around the globe,” Jin said

Apr 20, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
[INTERVIEW] Filmmaker explores enduring love stories of lifelong couples around the world
Films

Film festival organizers, actors express solidarity with people of Myanmar

Actors Jin Sun-kyu, left, and Park Ho-san posted photos of themselves doing the three-finger salute on Instagram, March 30, to show support for the people of Myanmar. Screen captured from Jin Sun-kyu's and Park Ho-san's InstagramBy Kwak Yeon-sooThe organizers of Korean film festivals have expressed solidarity with the people of Myanmar in their opposition to the military coup, showing support for their collective bravery in fighting for democracy.In a joint statement released Tuesday, the organizers condemned the violence against peaceful protestors that has led to numerous deaths of civilians, including children.The presidents of 11 film festivals, including the Busan International Film Festival, the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival and the DMZ International Documentary Film Festival will hold a press conference April 30 during the 22nd Jeonju International Film Festival to voice support for the filmmaking community in Myanmar.The filmmakers are taking part in the civil disobedience movement aimed at restoring democracy, and protecting human rights and fundamental freed

Apr 20, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
Film festival organizers, actors express solidarity with people of Myanmar
Films

KOFIC's secretary general facing fresh allegations over misappropriating taxpayers' money

By Kwak Yeon-sooLogo of the Korean Film Council (KOFIC) / Courtesy of KOFICThe Korean Film Council's (KOFIC) secretary general is facing fresh allegations of misappropriating taxpayers' money.The local media outlet, Cine 21, reported Wednesday that newly-appointed KOFIC secretary general Kim Jung-seok spent taxpayers' money at night clubs, escort clubs and massage parlors while serving as secretary general of the Jeonbuk Independent Film Association in 2005.Independent filmmakers condemned KOFIC for turning a blind eye to such accusations, pressuring the organization to reconsider appointing the controversial figure to the post.“Kim exploited his position and misappropriated 35 billion won ($31.3 million) for personal use, spending it at entertainment venues, clubs and massage parlors. Paying back the expenses doesn't erase his problematic history,” they said in a joint statement, Friday.“The major problem is that this wasn't a one-time thing. He repeatedly spent tax money in such disgraceful places and paid it back when his embezzlement was exposed. His wrongdoing

Apr 18, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
KOFIC's secretary general facing fresh allegations over misappropriating taxpayers' money
Films

Grandmother featured in 2002 hit family drama 'The Way Home' dies at 95

Kim Eul-boon / Korea Times file By Kwak Yeon-sooKim Eul-boon, who starred in director Lee Jeong-hyang's endearing family drama, “The Way Home” (2002), has died at the age of 95.“Kim passed away peacefully on April 17. We'd really appreciate if those who remember her could cherish her memory,” Kim's family said in a statement, Sunday.Kim rose to fame after playing a mute grandmother who looks after her spoiled grandson in “The Way Home.” The film tells a story of a seven-year-old city boy, Sang-woo, who comes to stay with his grandmother in a remote village while his mother looks for work. Although conflict arises in their relationship, Sang-woo learns the value of family through his grandmother's endless patience and love.Before taking on the role, she had no acting experience and had never been to the cinema. Director Lee discovered her in a village in Yeongdong County, North Chungcheong Province, where she had lived her whole life.“The Way Home” attracted more tha

Apr 18, 2021By Kwak Yeon-soo
Grandmother featured in 2002 hit family drama 'The Way Home' dies at 95
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